Ukip's dark night of the soul: Farage hits out at racism allegation

Nigel Farage hit out at his critics this morning, after a weekend of disastrous press coverage which highlighted racism among members and chaos at the top of the party.

Amid several ongoing rows about comments made by candidates standing at the local elections this week, minister without portfolio Ken Clarke yesterday said Ukip was populated by "waifs and strays".

Speaking to ITV Daybreak, Farage said: "They have lost the argument so Ken Clarke and others have decided that, rather than going for the ball, they are going to attack the player and that is exactly what this is about."

"They know that the British public are genuinely concerned about opening up the door to Bulgaria and Romania next year.